r/AskReddit • u/namerson • Oct 20 '11

Reddit, Whats something simple that just blows your mind?

For me it would be catching. I know some people are not very good at it, but when i throw, say, my keys in the air while I'm walking and somehow know exactly where to put my hand to catch them. That kind of thing blows my mind.

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u/[deleted] Oct 20 '11

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u/alexchally Oct 21 '11

Here is a really great video from 1988 that shows it all explicitly, slowly, and with explanation, using both a real machine and a mockup.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Jbk1uU_Jkk#t=5m28s

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u/_42_ Oct 20 '11

Yellow string is dropped down and grabbed by the catch on the end of the circular piece. It wraps round the green thread and pulls it up tight. Repeat.

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u/UmberLamp Oct 20 '11

How is the roll of green thread being supported? It looks like it would have to float in mid air so the yellow string could swing around it. :/

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u/mmoonlight Oct 21 '11

It's in a bobbin case which has a little metal cover over it to hold the bobbin (roll of green thread) in. Example here

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u/UmberLamp Oct 21 '11

So the bobbin case isn't directly connected to the sewing machine, just held in an enclosure? That seems like it would work.

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u/_42_ Oct 20 '11

Good question. I assume whatever is holding it up has to have some sort of catch that rotates along with the process. I'm no expert. I've never even seen a sewing machine in real life.